By LuAnn McLain
My name is Chester and sometimes I think I have it pretty tough. I am supposed to be an indoor-only cat. Or maybe I should say a backyard-only cat when it comes to going outside. But I am not inclined to stay in the yard much.
The people in my house dont think it is a good idea for me to roam around so they try to keep me in. I get pretty aggravated at times and I let them know in no uncertain terms that they should let me go out. I even sneak out when they open the door and dont know I am there.
I have two sister cats. They get to go outside whenever they want because they stay in the yard. They dont have my agility and skill when it comes to leaping a fence with a single bound.
The other day Mom took me to visit a place where there are lots of cats living. I thought it was pretty cool. Its called Kitty Keepers.
At Kitty Keepers there are cats living in a big place with lots of neat climbing and hiding places. There are some pretty good looking girl cats there and even lots of kittens. Boy! Can those kittens be pesty! They do have their own place to play, though, away from the adults so they dont bother them all the time.
Some of the guy cats are pretty cool and a couple of them are really big! I just acted real casual around them. It wouldnt do to have one of them think I was trying to be a tough guy.
All the cats there have collars and they get shots and stuff and none of them can have more kittens. That is really good because there are too many kittens without homes now that people want to bring to that place. Kitty Keepers has enough kittens but I am sure they will keep getting more.
Pretty soon they will run out of room for all those kittens. There arent enough people who want cats or kittens to keep up with all of them coming there to live.
Like I said before, these cats have lots of neat places to go. They can go outside but their yard is covered so they cant get out and nothing can get in, either. Oh, maybe a mouse now and then but they dont stay long!
There are cages for cats. Some cats like to sleep in them. Some cats are not very sociable and they stay in a cage when people arent there to make sure they behave. When a new cat comes to live there, it usually stays in the cage until it makes friends with other cats.
At Kitty Keepers the cats seem pretty happy. Some of them told me, though, that they really miss their people. Some never had people but would like to find out what is like to have a person of their own. Quite a few of them said they get held and petted but it isnt like being able to snuggle up on a lap for hours. Or even curl up on a chair or bed where the nice people odor lingers.
I decided I like my people and place a lot. We dont get many intruders to our yard so my patrol is pretty easy. I did meet a skunk one night by accident and didnt dodge him fast enough. My people made me stay outside all day and finally made me take a bath! It was terrible.
Mom told me about another place where a bunch of cats live. She said they really dont have a house and no one really takes care of them. Sometimes they might get some food put down for them but most of the time they have to try to scrounge for food and water, like in dumpsters, which is really risky! Mom says they dont live very long.
I think I have it pretty good. I dont have to share my people with too many animals. That little dog usually gets Moms lap at night and I dont like sharing with her. She tries to bite me if I get too close. The nerve! Shes even shorter than me. But sometimes Mom or Dad pick me up and just hold me and pet me for a long time. I really like that.
Maybe next time I want to go out and they wont let me Ill remember how happy I am and not knock things off the counter or run across the dining room table. Maybe.
Oh! I think I hear Mom coming so I have to get off the computer! Have a great week with your companion people. If you want to write to me, send it to Pawsitively Pets, P.O. Box 1731, Havre, MT 59501
